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National STEM Learning Centre and Network
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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Measuring speed
Purpose: Finding the speed of an object is a fundamental step in understanding the relationships between forces, acceleration and motion. Practical measurement of speed in a classroom can be challenging as methods employed can be complex and time consuming. Using the camera function in a mobile computer (smart phone, tablet or laptop) provides a quick and inexpensive alternative method.
Teaching sequence: Finding the speed of an object requires the measurement of the distance travelled and the time taken. The measurement of distance travelled is usually straightforward if the movement of a ball bearing or similar small object along a linear track is used. Measuring the time taken can be more challenging as using a stop clock accurately needs considerable skill. Some students then find difficulty in calculating speed from these measurements. Using digital technology, the measurement of time and the calculation of speed becomes more straight forward. However, it is recommended that digital technology is used only as a time saving approach and only once the manual methods have been taught and understood.
Preparation: One of the simplest set ups involves placing a tablet computer with a speed camera app at right angles to the direction of travel of a small object, such as a ball bearing or toy. A metre rule or similar should be placed in the field of view whilst the tablet device is set to record images of the motion of the object.
SSERC produce a free Speed Camera app and provide instructions for its use, see
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